Eighth Annual Project Cure Walk Inspires Hope

In 2006, inspired by a need to do something to help stop the number of young lives being taken by cancer and the even greater number being affected, a small group of women decided to organize their own fundraiser to support breast cancer awareness.

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month upon us, St. Stephen Catholic Church in Valrico will once again sponsor the Project Cure Walk through their Hope is Contagious Ministry. The Walk will take place on Saturday, October 26 at Bloomingdale East Park, 3902 Nature’s Way Blvd., in Valrico.

Over $100,000 has been raised over the last seven years for finding a cure for Breast Cancer.

Everyone is invited to participate in this year’s exciting “Project Cure” 20 mile walk. Some ways you can support the efforts of the Ministry: pray for everyone affected by cancer, their families and pray for a cure; spread the word, tell everyone you know and invite them to participate; walk, cycle, donate and/or volunteer.

Gretchen Robens, Communications Coordinator at St. Stephen Catholic Church said, “Project Cure is a way for our community to step out for the ache in our hearts, for those who are battling breast cancer and their families. Sometimes we walk (and pray as we do so) for those who are survivors or in memory of those we have lost to this tragic disease. Helping fund research is a way to make a difference.”

One hundred per cent of the profits will be donated to the Don and Erika Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.

You can walk one mile or 20 miles, sponsor a walker, be a corporate sponsor, cycle one mile or 20 miles or have your children join the Fun Walk.

Registration can be online or 30 minutes prior to the events. The 20-mile walk begins at 6:30 a.m. The Fun Walk takes place from 9-11 a.m. meeting at Bloomingdale East Park. The cycling begins at 5:30 a.m. at Campo Y.

Get involved and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. The hope is that their goal of $15,000 can be reached.

For online donations and registration for this event, visit http://ststephencatholic.weshareonline.org or make checks payable to St. Stephen Catholic Church with Project Cure in the memo line. For more information, e-mail hopeisconta gious2011@gmail.com

Michelle has been with the Osprey Observer for almost nine years, and her current position is Assignment Editor. She resides in Bloomingdale with her husband Phil, two sons, Philip and Matthew, and Tigger the cat.